At this point, most businesses and companies have an IT (information technology) services department. This service is essential to running any business with even a tiny online component. However, not as many companies have heard of IT security and IT compliance; if they have, they may not know precisely what these terms mean.

In reality, IT security and IT compliance are both essential in our digital age. Let’s define these two terms together in order to find their main differences!

IT Security

This is simply the term for securing and protecting your IT networks. Viruses, outages, and attacks by hackers should all be expected and prepared for, and IT security is the best way to do that. It works on both the general organizational level (for the entire business) as well as the more specific level (for certain projects or records).

IT security works to both defend from attackers and lessen the damage of hypothetical attacks. As much as we like to imagine a flawless security system, there is always the chance that something will occur. In such an instance, IT security focuses on limiting the severity of the attack and making it harder for attackers to do lasting damage.

The biggest thing about IT security is that it is motivated by the company’s own desire to improve their cybersecurity. Though the levels of security can vary, the process begins when the company themselves take action.

IT Compliance

IT compliance is still about security, even if it is no longer in the name. However, IT compliance requires you to meet the expectations and requests of a third party. The “compliance” aspect comes from the special IT needs required to meet the standards set. This can come from another company or even a specific client.

IT compliance can be driven by specific industry regulations, privacy laws depending on location, and what is lined out in a specific client’s contract. The requirements to meet IT compliance can vary, but most will deal with security. This is where we see the most overlap between IT security and IT compliance.

However, it is important to note that the motivation behind IT compliance is completely different. Where IT security is driven by the interests of the company themselves, IT compliance is driven by the need to meet a specific standard set out by a third party.

Security and Compliance: Two Sides of the Same Coin

So, although both terms deal with IT in the business world, they are driven by different desires. IT compliance meets the standards set by somebody else, while IT security meets the standards set by the original company.

Companies such as LaserCycle USA are great examples of offering dual IT security and IT compliance services. With dual services, you can be prepared for whatever your business needs! Whether you are setting out to build up your IT security or meeting the needs of a client with IT compliance, you will be confident in yourself and the process.